"We made an approach and if they accept we can negotiate with the player," Mourinho was quoted as saying by Sky Sports Network.

"If they don't accept, we won't approach the player - and it is over," added Mourinho, who has been also linked with Real Madrid's Roberto Carlos and Bayern Munich's Philip Lahm in his search for a talented left-back.

Chelsea and Mourinho were involved in a tapping-up row last year when they made an illegal approach to acquire the services of Cole.

But the Portuguese boss insisted the English champions won't repeat their previous mistakes.

"If people make mistakes in the past, they are not making them this season," he said.

"The approach was made in a more than fair way. Arsenal know we are interested."